Psalms 22:19-21

Psalms 22:19-21. But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me. Deliver my soul, from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

He had been delivered before, and he expected deliverance again, and he had it; but he had to pass through the iron gates of death to get it, and to win the victory over death by his own death. Now there is a change in the Psalm. The Saviour’s griefs are drawing to an end, and he begins to look at the result of his passion. He sees what is to follow from his crucifixion, and he talks thus to himself: -